Keir Starmer has been accused of “selling out” Britain’s security by allowing the US to redraw European borders in Ukraine.
The Prime Minister will scramble to Paris on Monday to meet with European counterparts for crisis talks as Donald Trump heaps pressure on the continent to bolster its support for Ukraine.
But Sir Keir came under fire after it was understood he will resist calls to ramp up defence spending immediately, with only a vague promise to get to the 2.5% of GDP.
Former Defence Secretary Grant Shapps led the condemnation of the Prime Minister’s continued refusal to step up to the plate on spending.
He said: “Starmer is selling out Britain’s security and handing our defence policy to the Americans.
“By scrapping my 2.5% defence spending target and dithering with a never-ending defence review, he’s left us weak, exposed, and flat-footed.
“While he drags his heels, the US may redraw European borders in Ukraine in a way that Britain simply cannot accept.
“This is a total abdication of responsibility—our armed forces need investment now, not endless excuses.”
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Former Home Secretary Priti Patel said: “We strongly urge Labour not to retreat from the previous government’s commitment to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2030.
“This is vital to strengthening our military in an unstable world, protecting our island, and standing side-by-side with our allies against the forces that seek to undo the fabric of peace.”
The Labour government has committed to rais ing defence spending to 2.5% of economic output from around 2.3% now but has not yet set out a timetable.
The Tories had committed to hitting 2.5% by the end of this Parliament. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds insisted a roadmap for reaching the target would be set out at the Chancellor’s spending review in June.
He downplayed reports that Sir Keir would have to overrule Rachel Reeves to increase defence spending.
Mr Reynolds added: “The whole cabinet, the whole government, I think most people in this country recognise the pressures the world is under, recognise more will have to be spent on defence.”
He added that Ms Reeves “knows more than most… defence has to be the cornerstone of our national prosperity”.
Sir Keir reportedly held one-to-one meetings on Friday with the chief of the defence staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin and the heads of the armed services, who are calling for spending to increase to at least a 2.65% share of the economy.
James Heappey, former Armed Forces minister, called the reports “good news”.
He added: “But 2.65% of GDP isn’t enough, especially if it’s not to be delivered until early 2030s. This will only maintain current force structures – way more needed to grow them.”
Meanwhile Shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge said the Munich Security Conference last week underlined that the US was more focused on China, and Europe would have to do “more of that heavy lifting” on Russia.
He added: “As I wrote in the Express a few days ago, if increasing defence spending was urgent before Munich, it’s critical now. We simply cannot wait any longer for confirmation of a sustained funding increase, so that the Ministry of Defence can place the orders for new munitions and kit that should have been placed months ago.”
French President Emmanuel Macron invited other European leaders to the capital to discuss the situation in Ukraine and security issues in Europe.
He will hold an informal meeting this afternoon with the heads of government of Germany, the UK, Italy, Poland, Spain, the Netherlands and Denmark.
The President of the European Council, the President of the European Commission, and the Secretary General of NATO Mark Rutte will also attend.
A statement from the French added: “Their discussions may then continue in other formats, with the aim of bringing together all partners interested in peace and security in Europe.”
It comes a week before Sir Keir is set to jet to Washington for a meeting with President Trump at the White House.
His plan to act as a bridge between Mr Trump and Europe on the Ukraine war is “not going to be easy”, Mr Reynolds acknowledged.
A further meeting of European leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, is likely when Sir Keir returns from his US trip next week.
Mr Zelensky said a new European army might be needed in future if the US cannot be relied on to guarantee the security of the continent.
Ukraine’s President said “we can’t rule out the possibility that America might say no to Europe on issues that threaten it”.
At the Munich Security Conference Mr Zelensky said: “A few days ago, President Trump told me about his conversation with Putin. Not once did he mention that America needs Europe at the table. That says a lot.
“The old days are over when America supported Europe just because it always had.”
Washington has suggested Nato membership for Ukraine could be off the table and Mr Zelensky will have to cede territory to Russia as part of any deal to end the war.
US officials and Russian counterparts are expected to hold talks in Saudi Arabia before an anticipated meeting between Mr Trump and Russia President Vladimir Putin.
